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| British PM honours veterans of RAF and Arctic convoys in second world war | British PM honours veterans of RAF and Arctic convoys in second world war |
| (10 days later) | |
| Veterans of Bomber Command and the Arctic convoys of the second world war have been presented with the first honours to mark their sacrifice, almost 70 years after the end of the conflict. | Veterans of Bomber Command and the Arctic convoys of the second world war have been presented with the first honours to mark their sacrifice, almost 70 years after the end of the conflict. |
| The Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp were announced by David Cameron in December. | The Arctic Star medal and Bomber Command clasp were announced by David Cameron in December. |
| The decision followed recommendations of a review of military decorations by former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who also concluded that those in Bomber Command had been treated "inconsistently" with their Fighter Command counterparts. | The decision followed recommendations of a review of military decorations by former diplomat Sir John Holmes, who also concluded that those in Bomber Command had been treated "inconsistently" with their Fighter Command counterparts. |
| Cameron spoke on Tuesday of the sacrifices made by both groups. | Cameron spoke on Tuesday of the sacrifices made by both groups. |
| More than 3,000 seamen died keeping supply lines to Soviet ports open, travelling what Winston Churchill dubbed the "worst journey in the world". Of the 125,000 people who joined Bomber Command, 55,000 lost their lives. | More than 3,000 seamen died keeping supply lines to Soviet ports open, travelling what Winston Churchill dubbed the "worst journey in the world". Of the 125,000 people who joined Bomber Command, 55,000 lost their lives. |
| Cameron presented the first of the medals in two separate ceremonies at Downing Street, and apologised for the long wait for official recognition. | Cameron presented the first of the medals in two separate ceremonies at Downing Street, and apologised for the long wait for official recognition. |
| He joined three Arctic Convoy veterans for a tour of the second world war cruiser HMS Belfast as they showed him where ice was cleared from the deck in perilous circumstances. | He joined three Arctic Convoy veterans for a tour of the second world war cruiser HMS Belfast as they showed him where ice was cleared from the deck in perilous circumstances. |
| Cameron said: "They are heroes and I think it's just so right that we are honouring them today for their incredible service 70 years ago. When you hear their stories, it's truly humbling." | Cameron said: "They are heroes and I think it's just so right that we are honouring them today for their incredible service 70 years ago. When you hear their stories, it's truly humbling." |
| Jock Dempster, 84, who showed Cameron around HMS Belfast, said: "Today has been one of the most rewarding days of my life, not just for myself, for all the veterans and not just for the veterans who survived, for the ones who have passed and the ones who got killed. Their families have at last got a medal they can look at and tie in with what they died for." | Jock Dempster, 84, who showed Cameron around HMS Belfast, said: "Today has been one of the most rewarding days of my life, not just for myself, for all the veterans and not just for the veterans who survived, for the ones who have passed and the ones who got killed. Their families have at last got a medal they can look at and tie in with what they died for." |
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